Lockley, Fred.  "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the
Sea." Vol. 2.  S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928.  p. 823.
 
WILLIAM P. SINNOTT
 
     Prominent among Portland's successful business men and influential citizens
is numbered William P. Sinnott, who for many years has been engaged in
enterprises which have contributed to the city's progress and development. Mr.
Sinnott was born in Portland, Oregon, on the 10th of January, 1872, and is a son
of P. B. and Bridget (Morrin) Sinnott. His father was born in Wexford, Ireland,
and in 1858 came to Oregon. Subsequently he went to California, but in 1860
returned to Portland and took over the Columbia Hotel, on Front street, which he
conducted until 1872, when he sold out and from that time until 1885 had charge
of the Grand Ronde Indian agency. Returning to Portland, he was appointed chief
deputy United States marshal, which position he held for several years, after
which he retired, and his death occurred in 1912. He had two brothers, N. B.
Sinnott, who was a pioneer settler at The Dalles, Oregon, and whose son, N. J.
Sinnott, served for many years as United States senator from this state, and
Robert Sinnott, who resided for many years in eastern Oregon and then moved to
Portland, where he spent his latter years. Bridget Morrin was brought to
Portland in her girlhood in 1861, and here met and was married to Mr. Sinnott.
Her death occurred in 1912.
 
     William P. Sinnott completed the course of the public schools and entered
St. Mary's College, at Oakland, California, from which he was graduated. He then
attended the law school of the University of Oregon, from which he was graduated
with the degree of Bachelor of Law in 1895. He was admitted to the bar and
entered upon the practice of his profession, to which he devoted his attention
for two years. In 1897 he embarked on the "George W. Elder" for Alaska, where he
remained a number of years, spending two years in Dawson and six years at Nome,
during which period he spent the greater part of his time in mining, in which he
was successful. At that time Alaska was wide open and the lawless element was
very much in evidence. Mr. Sinnott became well acquainted with Rex Beach, who
went to the territory on the same boat with him. In Alaska he became acquainted
with Jack London and Joaquin Miller, as well as many others of the famous
pioneers of that region. 'He recalls that at one time Mr. Miller started to walk
nine hundred miles out from Circle City, but he tired and quit on the first day
and returned to Circle City. Thereafter he was known by the soubriquet of
"Walk-out Miller." While in Alaska Mr. Sinnott traveled from the source of the
Yukon river to its mouth, a distance of two thousand four hundred miles, making
the journey in a small boat. In 1905 he sold his interests in Alaska and,
returning to Portland, engaged in the real estate business, buying and selling
properties, in which he met with great success, becoming the owner of much
valuable real estate. He built and owns the Peninsula apartments, the Conradine
Hotel and many good residences, and has other important property interests
throughout the city.
 
     In January, 1896, Mr. Sinnott was united in marriage to Miss Mary Murphy,
who was born at The Dalles, Oregon, and whose father, D. S. Murphy, was one of
the pioneers of Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Sinnott have a son, William P., now fifteen
years of age. Mr. Sinnott gives his political support to the republican party,
and is a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club, having taken an active part in
track, football, baseball and all branches of athletics. He also belongs to the
Alaska Society, the Sons and Daughters of Oregon Pioneers and the Auld Lang Syne
Society. During 1925-26 Mr. Sinnott and his family made an extensive foreign
tour, covering Europe, Asia, Africa, the West Indies and South America, which
proved a very enjoyable and instructive experience. Mr. Sinnott maintains a deep
interest in public affairs and every measure or movement calculated to advance
the material, civic or moral interests of Portland receives his earnest support.
He is a man of clear headed judgment, marked initiative ability and progressive
ideas and to a marked degree he commands the respect of all who have come in
contact with him.

 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2016 by Diana Smith. Submitter has
no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.